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THE CODING CHANGE HAS BEEN PUT ON ICE, BUT HOLD ON TO THOSE CHEAT SHEETS

ICD-10 delayed, but deadlines still loom

By Patricia Kennedy, COMT, CPC, COE

■ The medical community has spent the last few months scrambling to update its procedures to comply with the new ICD-10 new coding system, but now Washington has rendered that all meaningless. Or has it? ICD-10, though delayed, is still impending and other factors may encourage you to continue on the same path toward implementation you’ve been on.

Congress passed a “patch” in March to prevent the 24% Medicare reimbursement cut from taking effect. Included in the bill, was a plan to delay implementation of ICD-10 until October 1, 2015. This is the second one-year delay the legislation has faced. While nearly all of the medical community was opposed to the “patch,” many were relieved by the delay in ICD-10.

Any relief, however, may be short-sighted as private insurances are not affected by this legislation. They have spent significant capital to be ready for the 2014 implementation. It isn’t clear yet if private insurers will proceed as planned.

When the deadline for ICD-10 was scheduled for 2014, ophthalmology was, as a specialty, much better prepared than most. But this move gives practices new opportunities to put into place the necessary personnel, planning and timelines to be ready for the eventual implementation. It is unlikely a third delay will occur. Practices should continue to keep ICD-10 training on the agenda to avoid being unprepared regardless of when the implementation occurs. Going forward with the basic ICD-10 training now will help practices know what areas are lacking and what staff may need additional training.

GROUP AIMS TO PRESENT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADMINISTRATORS IN GEORGIA

Georgia Ophthalmic Executive Society holds inaugural meeting in Atlanta

By Brenda Lorenzo, Ophthalmic Administrator

■ Eighteen ophthalmic administrators gathered at the Glenn Hotel in downtown Atlanta this February for a day of planning, learning, and sharing. They emerged with a new networking group, GOES (Georgia Ophthalmic Executive Society).

As a result of the inaugural meeting, administrators in Georgia can now look forward to:

• Regular meetings with relevant speakers.

• A ListServ for members to share ideas, troubleshoot practice issues, share their resources and experiences.

• Networking/roundtables.

• Relationships with same specialty practice managers.

Prior to finally meeting, the group shared a healthy round of e-mails among the more than 50 members statewide.

In addition to the administrators present, there were several speakers and vendors contributing tips and resources. Jane Shuman, president of Eyetechs, Inc. and co-editor of Ophthalmic Professional, presented “How to create a master schedule” to the group and offered many ideas on streamlining clinic operations. GOES founder Lauren Levin, regional business consultant at ScienceBased Health, spoke on adding supplement sales to practices. Much of the afternoon was spent discussing the ‘hot topics’ administrators face daily. Speakers also addressed clinical updates, cost containment, and staff recruitment and training. The next meeting is set for June.

FIELD NOTES: A TECHNICIAN RETURNS TO NICARAGUA

Medical professionals can gain sense of perspective on mission trips

By Katherine Burleson, Ophthalmic Technician

■ This February I was fortunate enough to be able to travel for a second time to Granada, a city in Nicaragua, on a medical mission trip with John Parker, MD, Birmingham AL. Nicaragua is among the poorest countries in the Americas. Living on about $2 a day, according to the United Nations Human Development Report, much of the population struggles to provide their families food, not to even mention necessary medical care.

Two other ophthalmic technicians and I screened about 200 patients. We quickly filled the week’s surgery schedule for two ophthalmologists in one day. Our team performed cataract extractions, strabismus surgeries, and corneal transplants. Two teams of optometrists from Boston and Canada helped those without a surgical need.

I spent the bulk of the week circulating in the operating room for Dr. Parker and seeing postoperative patients in the eye clinic. We performed two DSAEKs and six PKs. Two patients stood out in my mind. One was a man who barely had light perception. He was so photophobic he could hardly open his right eye. We finished his surgery around nine o’clock and he spent the night in the hospital. The following morning, he could easily open his eyes to see his wife and had count-fingers vision. What an amazing one-day transformation!

Technicians Katherine Burleson, left, and Amy Ball, both of Parker Cornea in Birmingham, AL, with a patient in Granada.

The next was a young woman who could only see movement in her left eye. The following morning she could easily count fingers as well. Her mom cried tears of joy as she handed out small gifts to Dr. Parker and the staff. The experience reminded me of how little they have and yet, they are willing to give all.

Dr. Parker and myself are grateful for the opportunity to help the people of Nicaragua. OP